CARLIE KOLLATH WELLS: Farewell, Daily Journal readers

Friday wraps up my six years at the Daily Journal. I’m moving to New Orleans to join my husband, Caleb. He got a job there in December and I’m looking forward to being in the same ZIP code with him again.
I’ll be freelancing and eating my way around the Big Easy.
Follow my adventures at NewinNOLAblog.com or on Twitter: @carlie_kollath and @newinNOLA.
Dennis Seid, business editor, will continue to cover business in Northeast Mississippi. The Daily Journal is in the process of interviewing candidates to fill my position so please extend the same warm welcome to him/her that you did for me.
It’s a bittersweet departure because while New Orleans has its appeal, there’s still so much more to do here professionally.
My to-do list of business stories grows daily. It’s my proof that Tupelo has a lot going on, whether it is a new restaurant opening or a store closing or a business celebrating an anniversary. The business sector is bustling in Tupelo and it’s a good time to be a reporter here.
But, on Friday, I’ll turn in my laptop and hang up my Daily Journal press pass.
Thank you, readers, business owners, shoppers, leaders and residents, for your support during my time in Tupelo. Even though I grew up in Gulfport, I didn’t know much about Tupelo when I relocated from New York six years ago. You each took the time to educate me, share stories with me and give me directions. Thank you.
And thank you for your loyal following in print and online. It gives me warm fuzzies to see stories I wrote framed on the walls of your business. I love overhearing people talk about a story they read in the Journal.
And I love the calls, emails and tweets from you. Thank you for making Biz Buzz, our business blog, the most popular news blog at the Journal. You’ve followed along as we’ve been the first to break business stories in Tupelo. You’ve also made the blog better by sending in your tips. Thank you.
I’m going to miss Tupelo. I will miss covering Elvis events in his hometown.
I’ll miss talking with farmers in their fields.
I’ll miss laughing with business owners when they open their shops and commiserating with them when they close.
I’ll miss getting kicked out of businesses and being directed to corporate offices for comments.
I’ll miss the food and the shopping options all over the region.
I’ll miss my church family.
I’ll miss my first home – a historic Craftsman bungalow in Mill Village.
The city has been good to me and I’m so incredibly grateful. I’ve made lifelong friends in Tupelo and I met my husband here two years ago. My experience in Tupelo has exceeded my expectations and I have y’all to thank for much of that.
Thank you for sharing these past six years with me.
Carlie Kollath Wells is a business reporter at the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Contact her at carliekollath@gmail.com. Follow her online at bizbuzz.djournal.com or on Twitter at @carlie_kollath.